8/21/1969 - 11/3/2022
BJ is survived by her mother, Karen of Omaha:; sister Lisa Curto-Rood and husband, John of Lincoln; sister Sabrina Murrell and husband, Jay, of Laveen, AZ; brother Nicholas E. Curto and wife, Kelly Ball, of Waverly; sister Regina St. John of Omaha; sister Samantha Young and husband, Dominick, of Papillion. Nephews and nieces include Darin and Sheryl St. John, Harrison and Hailey Rood, Sofia Curto, Karen Murrell, Jameson Rood, Sage Curto, Ginger Murrell, Jacob Curto, and Mackenzie Tefft. Her beloved dogs, Castle and Guido, cats, Kate and Ziggy. Preceded in death by father, Nicholas Curto.
Other than my parents and older sister, Lisa, BJ is who was in my life the longest. She was tough, stubborn, funny and kind. I remember her small doll like appearance when I was 3. But BJ always danced to the beat of a different drummer. She would chase her tortuous older sisters through the house, biting her finger in anger and frustration, honing her toughness. She refused to talk until she was good and ready informing my mother that she had nothing to say, honing her stubbornness. My brother's, Nick, arrival 2 years later honed her tomboy ways. My father had his boy. One could argue Nature vs Nuture. With my 3rd sister's, Gina, arrival in another 2 years, her fierce loyalty and protection was set in motion, sleeping in the same bed for years. Someone had to be fierce against the older sisters even if it meant one sore knuckle was clenched in her teeth. The final sister, the baby Samantha, arrived 6 years later. An allegiance formed, BJ and Gina, their symbiotic relationship shaped in their childhood room and carried on into an adulthood home.
BJ was the truest friend a person could have. It is unbelievable that she took a bullet to the head and still drove her friend to his house to get him home. She was so saddened to have lost one of her best friends so early in life. She wore that incident like a badge of honor. A testament to her toughness and loyalty. BJ willingly though with curmudgeon invited various friends to stay in her house over the years. BJ was well loved by her friends and loved them in turn as family. There is the family she was born into and the family she chose. She had the best of both.
I'm reminded of BJ's love of the television show Knight Rider, David Hasselhoff and the car, KITT. She cherished her blue Ford Probe and later her beautiful Buick Enclave, just like our father's. BJ loved Michael Jackson all thru her life. He inspired her dance moves and to behold those moves was pure entertainment
BJ was proud of being a homeowner. She enjoyed working in her garden, building a bar in her garage, a privacy fence for her dogs, a huge fire pit and a mini cafe like space in her basement. Her home was a hangout, a place to play cards or darts, have a beer and enjoy some of the oddest funniest conversations, her perspective so weird and opinionated yet endearing.
BJ loved her pets. Those were her children. Spoiling them until the end. I can still hear her voice, "Boomer!" "Castle!" "Guido!", taking such pleasure in their dog antics always ready with a treat. The relief she felt when her missing cat, Kate, returned one day after thinking her gone. Knowing the quirks of Ziggy.
BJ was a hard worker. She loved her job and was a loyal employee at First Data. She had "her machine" and didn't like anyone telling her how or what to do. The support her coworkers showed her during her fight with cancer reflects how much she meant to everyone at the job. She was so proud of working almost to the very end. She never gave up and always wanted to continue working.
I think if BJ had one regret, it would be that she didn't make it to see the Yellowstone premiere. So if you've made it this far, tip a Coors yellow jacket for her.
A private family service will be held.
Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel)
1702 N. 72 St.
Omaha, NE 68114
402-391-2171
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